Environmental Laws of India

Indian Forest Act, 1927

• categorises forest
  • reserve forest
  • protected forest
  • village forest
• act does not define the forest or forest land
• defines forest produce

Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960

• prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals
• Animal Board of India was constituted under this act
• Supreme Court banned Jalikattu

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

• protection of wildlife
  • animals
  • birds
  • plants
• 6 schedules
• schedule 1 and part 2 of schedule 2 providing maximum absolute protection
• schedule 5 animals can be hunted
• schedule 6 plants are prohibited from cultivation and planting
• National Board for wildlife and National Tiger Conservation were constituted

Forest Conservation Act, 1980

• restrict use of forest land for non-forest purposes
• preventing the de-reservation of forest that have been reserved
• restrict leasing of forest land to private individuals, authority, corporations not owned by the government
• prevent clear felling of naturally grown trees

Environment Protection Act, 1986

• enacted in the wake of Bhopal Gas Tragedy under article 253
• implements agenda of UN conference on human environment
• regulate pollutionm
• lay down procedures and standards for industrial waste, emissions, hazardous waste
• Environment Protection Authority under this act

Water Act, 1974

• creates central board, state board, Central Pollution Control Board and SPCB
• water polluted from industrial waste was the main target

Air Act, 1981

• implement decision of UN conference on human environment
• also covers noise pollution